Bariatric Procedures Offered at Piedmont
Piedmont offers three leading bariatric weight loss solutions using the latest innovations in laparoscopic surgery. Using this modern, minimally invasive technique, surgeons insert laparoscopes, or thin tubes with attached video cameras, into small abdominal incisions to view the area on which surgery is being performed. This type of surgery usually results in reduced pain and faster recovery times.
Gastric Bypass (Roux-en-Y)
In the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure, stapling creates a small (15 to 20cc) stomach pouch. The remainder of the stomach is not removed but is completely stapled shut and divided from the stomach pouch. The outlet from this newly formed pouch empties directly into the lower portion of the jejunum, thus bypassing calorie absorption. This is done by dividing the small intestine just beyond the duodenum for the purpose of bringing it up and constructing a connection with the newly formed stomach pouch. The other end is connected into the side of the Roux limb of the intestine creating the ""Y"" shape that gives the technique its name. The length of either segment of the intestine can be increased to produce lower or higher levels of malabsorption.
Sleeve Gastrectomy
A sleeve gastrectomy removes a large portion of your stomach by dividing it vertically using a stapler device. The remaining portion of your stomach is slender and tube-shaped and limits the amount of food you can consume.
The Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD/DS)
The BPD/DS is a complex procedure with two surgical components designed for people who are super morbidly obese. First, a smaller, tubular pouch is created by removing a portion of the stomach, which is identical to the sleeve gastrectomy. Second, the small intestine rerouted to bypass a significant portion of the intestine. This leads to rapid weight loss and improved diabetes, but can cause significant vitamin deficiency and diarrhea.